Friday, November 01, 2013

Happy Diwali, and World Vegan Day! Light and Sound on the Path -- Sant Mat

This Sant Mat Radhasoami E-Newsletter explores the poetry, prose, spiritual discourses, books, scriptures, letters, prayers, ahimsa ethics, podcasts, videos, philosophy, cosmology, and history of the Masters from a traditional Indian perspective, and might also include quotes from various world religions in harmony with the Way of the Saints, the Path of the Masters and Mystics.

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"The greatest mistake of a soul is non-recognition of its real Self, and it can only be rectified by recognizing itself. Know thyself; recognize thyself; be immersed in thyself -- you will attain Godhood." (Lord Mahavira of Jainism)

"O Surat [Soul] (faithful consort of Radhasoami Dayal)! Extricate yourself from the current of this phenomenal world; don't drift in it or else you will have to suffer infinite pain (afflictions of chaurasi [reincarnations, transmigrations]). May your Surat [Attention-faculty of the Soul] follow the Satguru; put in both Surat and mind into the melting pot of Shabd (Word). Ever remain engaged in the practice of Surat Shabd Yoga [Inner Light and Sound Meditation] day and night; sapping the ambrosial sap of Shabd, remain cautious, vigilant and watchful (of the tricks of Kaal and Maya). Stick to the door of Gagan (Trikuti) and during this lifetime develop love for the companionship of Shabd. Radhasoami is giving you a clarion call: 'Remain careful, alert and watchful in your ascent to Trikuti' (lest Kaal and Maya should beguile you on the Way)." (Soami Ji Maharaj, Sar Bachan Poetry, "Tyag chal sajni jag ki dhaar", M.G. Gupta translation, MGPublishers@Gmail.com, Agra)

"Love is the expression of the harmony of Naam. It is our attunement to Naam that opens us to Love. And it is Simran that opens us to attunement." -- Nina Gitana

"When Beauty shows itself, all the essences of life converge in it as a center, and it therefore has as a tributary the entire universe." (Nina Gitana)

"God and love (bhakti) are otherwise one and the same thing". (Baba Devi Sahab)

"When the mind becomes calm then the truth is revealed." (Kabir)

"The individual soul (jiva), bound by illusion (maya), remains in the cycle of death and birth. This is the cause of one's suffering. In order to escape from this cycle of death and rebirth we must experience realization of the Supreme Being." (Maharshi Mehi)

"I am inviting you into the exalted, perfect Light. Moreover as for this Light, when you enter it you will be glorified ... you will become gloriously glorious, the way you first were when you were Light." (Trimorphic Protennoia, Gnostic Gospel of Egypt)

Happy World Vegan Day!

"World Vegan Day is an annual event celebrated on the 1st of November, by vegans around the world." (Wikipedia)

The Bhakta devotee Sant Tukarama saw God everywhere and within everyone. The viewer and the image, the lover and the object of worship, the drop and the ocean have become one:

"All of humanity has become God;

My virtues and defects have both been removed.

Sublime beyond words, it is indeed a blessing;

In this great triumph, my heart is at peace.

The reflection in the mirror appears a separate being,

But the viewer and his image are one and the same.

When it merges into the Ocean, O Tuka,

The streamlet becomes the Ocean itself."

-- Sant Tukarama, Gatha 3132

"The Art of true living in which the mind and the body reflect the soul more and more deeply is a high and elegant art. The words of Leonardo da Vinci to an aspiring young artist hold true equally for the art of living and the art and science of spirituality.

"'If thou wouldst be an artist, leave off all sadness and care save for thy art. Let thy soul be as a mirror, reflecting all objects, all colors and movements, itself remaining unmoved and clear.'

"Leonardo's advice is the essence of interior solitude and seclusion, and also of meditation and true living (meditation in action). It points to a synthesis, bringing stillness and action together in an appropriate way.

"We are leaving the Age of Separation and entering the Age of Synthesis." (excerpt from a letter written by Nina Gitana to a Satsangi)

Happy Diwali (Divali, Deepavali, The "Festival of Lights")! May You Experience the Inner Light

Holidays this time of the year in different world religions have the theme of Light: the return of Light, celebration of Light, or various miracles associated with the victory, renewal, rebirth or incarnation of the Light here in the physical plane. For those following the Path of the Masters, it is experiencing the Inner Light in meditation that is the greatest Light and miracle of all. Much Light to all. Happy Divali!

"Look within yourself with the inner eye. The whole expanse inside is replete with the refulgence of the Divine Light." (Sant Dadu Dayal)

Spiritual Significance of Divali

"While Diwali is popularly known as the "Festival of Lights", the most significant spiritual meaning behind it is "the awareness of the Inner Light". Central to Hindu philosophy (primarily the Yoga, Vedanta, and Samkhya schools of Hindu philosophy) is the belief that there is something beyond the physical body and mind which is pure, infinite, and eternal, called the Atman. The celebration of Diwali as the "victory of good over evil", refers to the light of higher knowledge dispelling all ignorance, the ignorance that masks one's true nature, not as the body, but as the unchanging, infinite, immanent and transcendent reality. With this awakening comes compassion and the awareness of the oneness of all things (higher knowledge). This brings ananda (joy or peace). Just as we celebrate the birth of our physical being, Diwali is the celebration of this Inner Light.

"While the story behind Diwali and the manner of celebration varies from region to region (festive fireworks, worship, lights, sharing of sweets), the essence is the same -- to rejoice in the Inner Light (Atman) or the underlying Reality of all things, God." (Wikipedia)

Finding the Portal to the Divine in a Realm of Illusion (Hermetic Gnostic Wisdom)

"People, where are you rushing, so intoxicated and having so fully drunk the strong wine of reasoning unaccompanied by acquaintance [Gnosis, Spiritual Knowledge, Mystical Experience]? Look up with the eyes of your soul -- and if you cannot all do so, at least those of you who can! For the imperfection that comes from unacquaintance is flooding the entire earth, corrupting the soul along with the body that encloses it and preventing it from putting in at the Havens of Safety. Do not be swept away by the main current! Rather, you who can must avail yourselves of a counter-current, take to the Haven of Safety, put in there, and look for a leader to show you the way to the Doors of Acquaintance [Gnosis], where there is Bright Light, pure from darkness, where no one is intoxicated, but all are sober, fixing their eyes on that Being who wills to be seen -- with the heart, for that Being cannot be heard or told of or seen by the outer eyes, only by inner spiritual vision." (Corpus Hermeticum, Tractate Seven: The Greatest Human Evil is Unacquaintance With God, "The Gnostic Scriptures", translated by Bentley Layton)

(I find this passage above from the Corpus Hermeticum to be one of the most eloquent descriptions of the awakened soul, trapped somewhere in time, seeking to begin its search for a competent and qualified teacher, spiritual path and initiation into the spiritual life.)

The Infinitesimal Point: Opening To Realms of Inner Light

"This calls for a motionless, still gazing ahead right in front of the center of the two eyes in the inner dark void that is seen upon closing our eyes gently. The art of gazing in the inner dark vastness that the currents of consciousness present in the two eyes, meet at a Point, so the gaze gets fixed in a Point, has to be learnt from an accomplished Guru and practiced regularly with utmost faith and sincerity. It must be noted here that Sants warn strictly against any kind of imagining of the presence of a Point within. Whenever the two currents meet, a bright Point is automatically seen -- it does not have to be imagined or visualized. Whenever this happens, breathing adjusts automatically. Awareness of own body and surroundings is lost even as the meditator is fully alert and conscious internally. Ascension or transcendence is a direct corollary of concentration, collection of attention. As a result, thus, of awareness shrinking completely into an absolute Point, the 'jiva' or 'Surat' (non-liberated individual soul that is combined with the mind, etc...) pierces through or transcends the gross sphere, and ascends into the astral sphere where countless varieties of Sounds called Anahad ('ana' meaning 'no', and 'had' meaning limit or boundary) Nada (Sounds) are heard. Brilliant lights, innumerable worlds, stars, moon, sun, advanced souls, etc..., etc... are seen by the practitioner, who has become completely oblivious of, or has left behind the gross universe (that his physical body exists in) behind. The soul keeps flying in the inner sky like a bird, sighting all the magnificent scenes. Hence Bindu Dhyan or the Yoga of Light is also known as the 'vihangam marg' (vihangam means 'bird', and marg means 'path'). The perceiver becomes indescribably enthralled, ecstatic by the mesmerizing sights. But he has to move on, resisting these temptations, and rise still further to accomplish his ultimate Goal, which is Self-Realization or God-Realization."

-- From the Preamble of, "Yoga of Inner Light and Sound", by Swami Achyutanand Baba, translated by Pravesh K. Singh

"Within This Body" -- Mystic Poem of Sant Tulsi Sahib of Hathras

Within this body breathes the secret essence. Within this body beats the heart of the Vedas.

Within this body shines the entire Universe, so the saints say.

Hermits, ascetics, celibates -- all are lost seeking Him in endless guises.

Seers and sages perfectly parrot the scriptures and holy books, blinded by knowledge.

Their pilgrimage, and fasting, and striving but delude,

Despite their perfect practice, they discover no destination.

Only the Saints who know the body's heart have attained the Ultimate, O Tulsi.

Realize this, and you've found your freedom (while teachers trapped in tradition know only the mirage in the mirror).

Four Nirgunas and the Four Rams (Gods)

The Four Nirgunas

"Let the wise one understand

the true meaning of nirguna.

The first nirguna is the Self

which speaks from within.

The second one is the wind,

which blows inaccessibly,

And which is beyond anyone's reach.

The third nirguna is the formless Kal**

Who is worshipped by the whole world.

The fourth Nirguna*, O brother, is the immutable Lord

Where the eternal light burns ...

the Immortal Abode."

-- Sant Dariya Sahib

The Four Rams

"Consider the four meanings of 'Ram'. The first Ram is our inner Self. Parashu-ram*** is said to be the second one. The third one lived in Dasharath's**** home. The fourth Ram is the Primeval Sat Purush [God]*****.

"Call Him (Sat Purush), Ram or call Him Naam, Ram and Naam are one. Both are mutually indistinguishable; Satguru's Sound Current reveals this wisdom."

** Kal: Gnostic Demiurge; False god; "According to Hazur, Kal or Brahman is the universal mind -- the master and presiding deity of the spiritual-material region of creation... Kal or Brahman was instrumental in the creation of the lower divisions of creation known as Brahmand, and desh, and pind desh [material universe]. He thus not only acted as creator and the sustainer, but also as the destroyer of these regions. The functions of Kal or Brahman differ from that of Dayal or the true Supreme Being in the sense that Dayal creates through his own spiritual agency and never destroys the creation; He and His region are beyond all change, decay and dissolution. But Kal who conducts creation through the agency of spirit energy derived from Dayal, destroys the regions at his own will; he then acts as the personification of the destructive principles or the god of death. He and his regions are all subject to change, decay and dissolution." (A.P. Mathur, "Radhasoami Faith, A Historical Study")

*** Parashu-ram: the son of Sage Jamadagni, is regarded as the sixth incarnation of lord vishnu;

"Those who sing of the Lord without feeling and emotion of love [prem, bhakti], they did not find anything substantial from the spiritual point of view. They are even farther away and more remote than those who did not sing at all. But those who sang lovingly and with trust, faith and conviction, before them God is always present."(The Essential Kabir, by M.G. Gupta, MGPublishers@Gmail.com, Agra)

Gaayaa jin paayaa naheen, ungaaye tein door

jin gaayaa bisvaas gahi, taa ke sadaa hujoor

"It is in the kingdom of truth, contentment and purity,

that this battle is raging; and the sword that rings forth most loudly is the sword of His Name.

Kabir says: When a brave knight takes the field, a host of cowards is put to flight.

It is a hard fight and a weary one, this fight of the truth-seeker: for the vow of the truth-seeker is more hard than that of the warrior, or of the widowed wife who would follow her husband.

For the warrior fights for a few hours, and the widow's struggle with death is soon ended:

But the truth-seeker's battle goes on day and night, as long as life lasts it never ceases.". (Songs of Kabir, Rabindranath Tagore)

The Secrets of Meditation Practice, Inner Space, Divine Light and Sound: "We should go to that place where the way to remove these veils is taught. In the terminology of Sants and noble people, such a place is called 'satsang' where methods are taught to inculcate bhakti [love and devotion] and remove the veils that keep it under-cover". (Baba Devi Sahab)

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